Schoolboy’s instinct to ‘Make the Safe Call’ rewarded

Posted on 4 March 2016

A Darkan schoolboy has been presented with Western Power’s first Make the Safe Call Award for demonstrating safe behaviours around the electricity network.

Western Power’s Lochie the Linesman and Community Education Coordinator Julie Hughes today presented Zaine, nine, with the award for his safe action in responding to an electrical hazard. Zaine was with his grandfather, Chris Cuthbert, when he saw a fault near his farm on Sunday 31 January.

“Zaine pointed and said, ‘Pop, I think there is a power pole over there’, and at first I didn’t see them, but Zaine did and he knew that there was a problem,” Mr Cuthbert said. “When we drove to where he was pointing, there was a powerline sagging low across the road.”

Mr Cuthbert stayed with the powerline to warn approaching motorists of the hazard while Zaine returned to the family home to raise the alarm.

After receiving the call, Western Power immediately cut power to the powerline and dispatched a crew who arrived quickly to safely repair the stay wire that had caused the powerline to sag.

Ms Hughes said, “Zaine’s instincts to protect himself, his grandfather as well as the community are a great example to others of how to safely act around the electricity network, making him a very worthy recipient of our first Make the Safe Call Award.

Western Power’s Make the Safe Call community safety campaign, which has been running for the past four years, encourages people to play their part in community safety by reporting any hazards or faults on the electricity network.

“During storms, strong winds often blow debris and vegetation into the electricity network which can cause power outages – and in severe cases powerlines to break or fall,” Ms Hughes said.

“Fallen powerlines are a safety hazard which is why it is vital that everyone knows how to act.

“We all know who to call if someone is injured or if there is a fire, but if you spot a low hanging or broken powerline, you should call Western Power on 13 13 51.”